Criminal Defense and Civil Forfeiture Blog

Published on: December 2, 2020

Owner and Employees of Illinois Child Care Centers Accused of Defrauding State Program Out of $6.1 Million

The owner of five Illinois child care centers and several of her employees have been charged for their alleged involvement in a fraud scheme that pocketed millions of dollars from a state program meant to help low-income families afford child care.

Aleesha McDowell, 41, of Mokena, IL, is charged with 12 counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering. Her employees, who are also charged with various counts of wire fraud in the same indictment, are: Nicole Lacey, 36, of Burnham, IL; Stacy Sims, 43, of Chicago, IL; Janelle Jordan, 40, of Chicago, IL; Lauren Coley, of Phoenix, AZ; Shavon Johnson, 47, of Country Club Hills, IL; and Sean Blunt, 44, of Matteson, IL. Attorney information was not available for any of the defendants.

Published on: November 30, 2020

14 Southern California Residents Charged in $22 Million Workers’ Compensation Fraud Scheme

by Brian Silber

The District Attorney’s Office for Riverside County has announced charges against 14 Southern California residents for their alleged roles in a workers’ compensation fraud scheme that cost insurance providers more than $22 million.

The defendants are being charged in three separate cases with a variety of counts, including conspiracy, insurance fraud, receiving kickbacks, and capping.

Published on: November 20, 2020

Tampa Bay Medical Biller Charged with Health Care Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida has announced charges against a Tampa medical biller accused of using his position to fraudulently bill Medicaid for millions of dollars worth of services that were never provided.

Joshua Maywalt, 40, is charged with four counts of health care fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft. Attorney information was not available.

Published on: November 19, 2020

DEA Returns $43,000 Seized Using Asset Forfeiture from Tampa Woman at Airport

by Brian Silber

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) will reportedly return more than $43,000 it seized from a Tampa woman at an airport after she joined a class-action lawsuit challenging the agency’s practice of using civil asset forfeiture to seize cash from travelers.

The DEA reportedly seized $43,167 from Stacy Jones last May as she was trying to fly home to Florida from North Carolina. According to sources, Jones and her husband were stopped and questioned by airport security about the cash, which was in a carry-on bag. Airport security called the police, who eventually alerted the DEA.

Published on: November 16, 2020

Fort Lauderdale Basketball Coach Accused of Defrauding COVID-19 Relief Program Out of Almost $1 Million

by Brian Silber

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced the arrest of a Fort Lauderdale high school basketball coach accused of defrauding a COVID-19 relief program out of almost $1 million.

Terrence Deshun Williams, 40, of Tamarac, FL, was charged with money laundering, bank fraud, engaging in transactions in unlawful proceeds, and making false statements to a financial institution. He was released on $350,000 bond, sources indicate. It is unclear if he has acquired the services of an attorney.